Pacman by K.O. - Roach

SPEED versus power. That may well be the underlying premise when Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto slug it out in an expected November 14 brawl at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

And for trainer Freddie Roach, nothing more than beats Pacquiao as far as speed and quickness are concerned.

“For this fight, speed is going to be important,” said Roach, the three-time Trainer of the Year and the man credited for Pacquiao’s rise to super stardom.

“I think if you get Cotto in a fast-paced fight, he'll tire. So we want to come out quick and set a fast pace. Speed is our biggest asset.”

Speed, the key factor in the Pacman’s last three sensational wins over David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

Against Diaz, Pacquiao scored a ninth round technical knockout win in his first crack at the lightweight division and then went on to send De La Hoya into retirement following a brutal eight round TKO.

In his last fight against Hatton, the bout lasted only two rounds, the Briton absorbing the full power of the Filipino’s left hook that left him lying cold on the canvass.

But Roach is not underestimating Cotto, the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion whose title won’t be at stake during the 12-round bout to be fought at a catchweight of 145 pounds.

“I know Cotto pretty well,” Roach said. “But I haven't really studied him yet. I have a pretty good idea how we want to fight him, but until I sit down, watch the tapes and talk to Manny, we're still in the planning stage.”

Still, in the end, he doesn’t see the 28-year Puerto Rican getting past the pride of General Santos City.

“He's (Cotto) a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger,” Roach said. “But I think Manny's the better boxer, and Manny's defense is the best it's been. I think Pacquiao will stop him along the way.”

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B-Hop rooting for Pacman

HOPKINS

LOOK who’s rooting for a Manny Pacquiao victory over Miguel Cotto in their Nov. 14 showdown in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It’s Bernard Hopkins no less.

The former undisputed middleweight champion declared that the Filipino boxing superstar is going to beat Cotto in their highly-anticipated bout four months from now.

The 44-year old boxer from Philadelphia and a known associate of the great Oscar De La Hoya in his Golden Boy Promotions made his prediction of a Pacquiao victory during an interview over ESPN Friday Night Fights.

“I just like Pacquiao because Pacquiao’s proven fight after fight after fight that he can answer the call. He is the legitimate pound-for-pound fighter right now until something else happens,” said Hopkins.

The statement of the boxer dubbed `The Executioner’ comes as a surprise after previously going against Pacquiao in his last two big fights.

Hopkins both picked De La Hoya and Englishman Ricky Hatton over the Filipino ring icon, two opponents whom Pacquiao convincingly demolished.

Against De La Hoya, the General Santos City native scored a sensational eight round technical knockout, but proved to be even devastating against Hatton whom he destroyed inside only two rounds.

Now Hopkins sees the same thing happening to the 28-year old Cotto, a Puerto Rican who is the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-welterweight champion.

“Basically, I see Cotto busted up. I don’t think his face is gonna hold up through twelve rounds of the fight,” said Hopkins.

Cotto’s stunning loss against Mexican Antonio Margarito last year and his unimpressive split decision win recently against Joshua Clottey of Ghana doesn’t augur well in his 145-pound slugfest with Pacquiao, Hopkins pointed out.

“Cotto’s game. He’s a game fighter. We all know he comes with that Puerto Rican pride. He’s coming in to try and win the fight, but I just think the Margarito fight, where he suffered punishment from round one to the end end, and also the last fight he just fought, he showed grit and he showed guts and he pulled it out, and he had a nasty cut.

“Too many things working against him, not for him, and he’s fighting a guy who’s going to take advantage of all those opportunities,” said Hopkins.

In contrast, everything appears going in favor of the Pacman.

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New opponent for `Gintong Kamao'

UPCOMING Drian Francisco will still have a Panamanian for his new opponent.

After getting ditched by Rafael Concepcion for their scheduled July 26 fight at the Astrodome, Francisco’ s handlers led by Elmer Anuran of Save By The Bell, decided to tap Concepcion’s compatriot, Roberto Vazquez, for his next foe.

The two will slug it out on Sept. 26 at the Astrodome for the World Boxing Association (WBA) International super-flyweight championship.

Anuran decided not to take legal action against Concepcion and his manager in the light of their cancelled fight.

Apparently, Concepcion, the gung-ho Panamanian best remembered for inflicting AJ `Bazooka’ Banal his first career loss as a pro, has hooked up an August 15 fight with Nonito Donaire Jr. in a bout that serves as the Filipino’s first match as a super-flyweight.

Anuran however, regretted the fact that the Concepcion-Francisco fight didn’t push through after the contract had already been signed as early as May.

Promoter Saved by The Bell already began preparations with the venue reservations, ticket selling and printing of marketing collaterals.

But the outbreak of the A(H1N1) in early June prompted Anuran to ask Concepcion’s camp to have the fight rescheduled by September, a condition Concepcion’s handlers readily accepted.

However, by the third week of June, Concepcion and Co. sent an email to Anuran calling the fight off.

Aware that Concepcion will still be taking on a fellow Filipino, Anuran just let go of the incident and charged it to experience.

Dubbed `Gintong Kamao’, Francisco sports an unbeaten record of 16 wins, including 12 by knockouts. He has set up his training camp at the Touch gloves gym in Agoncillo, Batangas. -Philippine Boxing News

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IT'S A GO

PACQUIAO: November 14 fight with Cotto is set

IN the end, Bob Arum got what he wanted.

The showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto is finally a go on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Arum’s effort to persuade the Filipino boxing superstar in agreeing at the 145 pound catch weight sealed the deal for the biggest fight in the final quarter of 2009.

"It's done," said Arum, the hardworking chairman of Top Rank, who was back to work following a weeklong European vacation.

"But everything is agreed or I wouldn't say what I am saying," Arum said. "The weight, the percentages, the guarantees -- it's all agreed to."

As the universal pound-for-pound king today, Pacquiao is expected to get the bigger pie of the prize purse.

The negotiations actually got stalled when both parties couldn’t agree on the catch weight.

Cotto, a natural welterweight, insisted that the most he could do was go down at 145 from 147, no more, no less.

Pacquiao however, countered that the fight should be at 143.

But leave it all up to Arum for the fight to materialize.

"I'm really excited because it's a real fight. These are two real warriors," Arum said. "Whichever way this fight goes, I think it's going to be a classic because of the way these guys fight. There will be a lot of engagement. They're great fighters. Cotto and Pacquiao are gutty guys. If you want blood and action and excitement, this is the fight."

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Mosley challenges Pacquiao at 140

MOSLEY

SHANE Mosley is now challenging Manny Pacquiao at the catch weight the Filipino wants it to be.

The latest offer Mosley tendered to the world’s pound-for-pound king is for them to meet at 140 pounds, the lowest he’ll be fighting in the last 13 years and the current weight where the 30-year old General Santos City native is campaigning.

“I am ready to fight Pacquiao at 140 lbs now,” he said through publicist Lauren Renschler.

Mosley brought up the idea in the wake of the disparity in the catch weight Pacquiao and welterweight champion Miguel Cotto would want their November 14 fight to happen.

The Filipino boxing icon insisted that the bout be at 143 pounds, but Cotto wanted it at 145.

Mosley earlier said he’s willing to go down to 142 – after fighting mostly as a welterweight – for a career showdown with Pacquiao.

“This is the fight the fans want and I’m prepared to give it to them. It’s up to (Pacquiao promoter) Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao to stop running from me and step up to the challenge. Let’s meet in the ring at 140,” said Mosley.

Although he began his career as a lightweight, Mosley slowly climbed in weight, eventually fighting mostly as a welterweight.

He did campaign as a super-welterweight, too.

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Cuban-bound

TANAMOR

NINE boxers from the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines’ elite pool, including Beijing Olympian Harry Tanamor, leave for Cuba early next month for a 21-day marathon training in preparation for September’s AIBA World Championships in Milan, Italy.

Joining the 48-kilogram Tanamor, who beat Cuban Yampier Hernandez in the light flyweight final of the Boxing World Cup in Moscow last December, are: Rey Saludar (51kgs.), Joan Tipon (54kgs.), Aston Francis Palicte (54kgs.), Charly Suarez (57kgs.), Jheritz Chaves (57kgs.), Joegin Ladon (60kgs.), Jameboy Vicera (60kgs.), and Genebert Basadre (64kgs.).

Oveseeing the Havana expedition – backed by telecommunications tycoon and ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and Philippine Sports Commission chief Harry Angping – are Cuban coaches Enrique Steyners Tissert and Dagoberto Rojas Scot, and national mentor Patricio Gaspi.

“This should give us a clear picture of what the RP boxing team to the World Championship and the Southeast Asian Games would look like in terms of composition,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson.

“We want to take advantage of what our Cuban coaches tell us: daily opportunities to test our boxers’ mettle against top-rate Cuban boxers.”

Picson said a thorough evaluation of the boxers’ performance will be conducted upon their arrival.

“We will hear the assessment of the coaches, have the nine boxers spar with those who stayed behind, and proceed from there,” said Picson, adding four or five RP fighters will compete Sept. 1-12 in the World Championships where bets from more than 100 countries will battle in 11 weight categories.

Consultation is also ongoing, Picson bared, with AIBA Women’s Commission vice chairman Nieva Embuldeniya, a native of Lallo, Cagayan Province, on where best to send the country’s female boxers for training five months before the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos.

“We would probably have them training in India if China is unavailable,” the ABAP official said.

Annie Albania won the 50-kilogram gold medal in the 24th SEA Games in Nakhon, Ratchasima two years ago, and five of the seven-woman national squad brought home a silver medal.

The men’s team settled for seven silvers and two bronze medals.

“We hope to send 11 men and five women boxers to Laos where 16 weight categories will be disputed,” said Picson. “And we’re still looking for partners to help fund the team.” -Philippine Boxing News

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Floyd Jr blames it on `Uncle Bob'

FORMER pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. simply laughs off the November 14 showdown being cooked up by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum pitting boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.

“It’s like a T-bone steak,” he boasted. “They fight my leftovers.”

Mayweather Jr, made the statement during the international media conference for his Sept. 19 fight with Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez.

The 12-round bout serves as Mayweather Jr’s comeback bout following his unexpected retirement last year. But an injury to his hip he suffered while in training camp forced promoters of the fight – Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather’s own promotional outfit – to move it from its original date of July 18 to September.

But Mayweather Jr. sounded far from an injured fighter the way he answered questions from the media during the conference call.
In part, the former five-time world champion delved on the Pacquiao-Cotto slugfest that has yet to be formally announced since negotiations for a catch weight has yet been agreed upon.

He also blasted Arum as the major cause why a Mayweather-Pacquiao slugfest won’t happen.

Mayweather Jr, called out his former promoter as `greedy.’

“Arum had a chance to make the fight,” he said. “He wants 50-50. He knows that is never going to happen. If Bob Arum didn’t want to be so greedy, it would happen. If Pacquiao really wants to fight me, he just has to say it.”

Pretty Boy’ Floyd said an even split between him and Pacquiao is not a reality, pointing out that “while it’s a sport, it’s also a business.”

Besides, a meeting with Pacquiao is not the biggest fight out there in boxing, according to Mayweather Jr.

“The biggest fight in boxing is Mayweather against anybody.”

He did have good words reserved for Pacquiao, whom he describes as a `good fighter.’ “I have nothing bad to say against him.”

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Paquiao-Cotto Fight at 145 --- Arum

TOP Rank Promoter Bob Arum insisted that the catch weight for the November 14 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will be at 145 pounds.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Speaking from Northern Italy where he is currently on a vacation, the veteran boxing promoted said it is clearly stated in the contract he prepared and subsequently given to Pacquiao, that the two will meet two pounds below the welterweight limit of 147 pounds.

“The fight is going to happen at 145 pounds. Forget all this talk because that it is what it’s going to be,” Arum said.

Arum’s pronouncement came in the midst of reports that Pacquiao wants the fight at 143 pounds as stressed by his lawyer Jing Gacal.

The 77-year old Top Rank honcho admitted he’s amused at why Gacal would come out in the open and demand that the fight be held at 143.

Besides, Arum had the understanding that Pacquiao will readily sign the contract after Cotto agreed to meet him two pounds less than the welterweight limit.

“I don’t know why Gacal would say that. Where did he say that?” Arum said. “Look, one thing we are not going to do is jeopardize any fighter’s health. I gave a contract to Michael Koncz for Manny to sign and it has a 145 pound limit.”

The 30-year old Pacquiao, the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, has fought as a welterweight just once opposite Oscar De la Hoya whom he demolished inside eight brutal rounds during their highly-anticipated showdown December last year.

Arum won’t be back in the U.S. until Sunday when he attends the press conference for the coming fight of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

He added he’s expecting a signed contract from Pacquiao once he gets back.

“I don’t see a problem here. I really don’t,” Arum said. -Philippine Boxing News

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Lunas loses OPBF crown

By Michael John Palacios

HAMPERED by a broken wrist, Filipino Rolly Lunas yielded his Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super-bantamweight title to Japanese Hiromasa Ohashi in a seventh round knockout loss last month at the Sangyo Hall in Nagoya, Japan.

The 25-year old Lunas was leading in the first five rounds of the title fight, but was forced to quit in round seven after failing to endure the pain brought about by his injured wrist.

The end came at the 1:50 mark of the seventh.

The Tabaco City native now based in Kanazawa, Ichikawa, Japan will be undergoing surgery on July 6 to repair his broken wrist.

“I was devastated. I really tried to continue fighting but there was too much pain in my wrist,” said Lunas, who was rushed to a nearby hospital shortly after the fight.

Victorious as he may be, but the new champion suffered multiple injuries and had to be rushed to the hospital as well.

Bloodied for most of the fight, Ohashi was even in a worst state after suffering four cracks in his face, a condition that would not allow him to fight immediately.

Lunas (26-8, with 14KOs) was apologetic to all the Filipino and Japanese fans who traveled all the way to Nagoya just to support him.

“I am very sorry, but I hope all the people who are supporting me won’t give up. I hope they will pray for my immediate recovery as I continue to reach out for my dream to become a world champion someday,” he said.

The Filipino won the OPBF super-bantamweight title with a 12-round split decision win over Wethya Sakmuangklang last January.

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Nonito Donaire moving up in weight

NONITO Donaire Jr makes his super-flyweight debut against Rafael Concepcion when the two slugs it out for the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim 115-pound title on August 15 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Donaire is invading the super-flyweight ranks following a successful stint as a flyweight (112 pounds) that saw him win the International Boxing Federation (IBF) version of the weight class.

The California-based Filipino has defended his IBF crown thrice after wresting it from fearsome Vic Darchinyan following a stunning fifth round knockout in their 2007 title fight.

In his latest bout, Donaire retained his title with a fourth round technical knockout of Raul Martinez in a 12-round showdown held at the Araneta Coliseum last April.

“I want to go up in weight because it is where the big names in boxing are,” said Donaire.

Concepcion is no stranger to Filipino boxing fans, being the same tough Panamanian fighter to inflict promising AJ Banal his first professional loss following a 10th round knockout of the young Cebuano before a stunned crowd at the Cebu Coliseum last year.

The 27-year old Concepcion nicknamed `El Torito’ lost in his first attempt at a world title with a ninth round setback to the great Jorge Arce for the WBA interim super-flyweight crown in Mexico.

Donaire refused to guarantee it would be sort of a payback for Banal as he seeks a victory over Concepcion.

“It could be an added motivation, but Concepcion is one hell of a tough guy. You can’t underestimate him,” said the soft-spoken IBF champion.

Another Filipino in Bernabe Concepcion will be seeing action in the main undercard as he challenges Steven Luevano for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight championship.

The title bout was supposed to be fought in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown last May, but an injury suffered by the American champion forced it to be postponed three months after.

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Pacman gets a new `toy'

Pacquiao's new `toy' worth P2.5 million

BOXING superstar Manny Pacquiao can now add a custom-made motorbike worth P2.5 million to his collection of luxury vehicles.

The stunning M2 Cyclone 1200cc model manufactured by Buell, was presented to Pacquiao Wednesday night at Eastwood City.

Buell is the sister company of Harley Davidson.

A personal emergency in his native General Santos City forced the world’s pound-for-pound king to miss the affair, although he was represented in the event by lawyer Franklin Gacal.

“Sure, Manny is going to like this toy,” said Gacal when the motorbike was unveiled.

High-ranking executives of Castrol led by Mars Sota, Paul Salapantan and Cris Gonzales presented motorbike to Gacal.

The bike, designed and built by the Hardcore Brothers Custom team, is designed with images of Pacquiao’s last two impressive fights against American Oscar De La Hoya and Englishman Ricky Hatton.

Castrol officials said the special motorbike would cost even more should it be auctioned off in the market.

The bike is the latest in Pacquiao’s collection of luxury vehicles that also include a Mercedes Benz SL 550 and several SUVs.

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Three country training for Pinoy boxers

ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson

THE Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) is eyeing to train in three different countries which it hopes would benefit Filipino boxers when they vie on two major international stints in the final quarter of the year.

Being considered as probable training destinations are Cuba, China and the U.S., in preparation for the coming World Boxing Championships and the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos, according to ABAP executive secretary Ed Picson.

As per the recommendation of the national boxing team coaching staff, the Filipino pugs are again Cuban-bound for a possible 30-day training camp.

Picson however, revealed a similar proposal tendered by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping to send the boxers to China.

“A training stint in Cuba would indeed, be very helpful, sabi po ni chairman Angping, although ang naikasa na niya right now ay isang training stint sa China, dahilan na rin sa mga kakilala niya roon,” Picson said.

Cuba has been a known boxing power in the world, prompting ABAP to even avail the services of two Cuban coaches in Juan Enriquez Steyners Tissert and Badoberto Rojas Scott.

On the other hand, China is slowly emerging as a force to reckon with in the sport as proof of its gold medal wins in the 2008 Beijing Olympics courtesy of light-flyweight Shiming Zou and light heavyweight Xiaoping Zhang.

Picson admitted a trip to Cuba would be very costly for the association, especially with the coaching staff suggesting as many as 18 boxers attending the camp.

For cost cutting measures, the ABAP secretary-general said half of the boxers would be going to Cuba, and others to China.

“Ang idea, 30 days sa China yung isang team, 30 days naman sa Cuba yung isa,” he said.

“Pagbalik nila dito, magla-laban laban sila. Pagkatapos, ang magiging resulta doon natin makukuha yung komposisyon n gating koponan sa World Championship at sa SEA Games.”

The World Boxing Championship is slated in September in Milan, Italy, while the SEA Games will be held early in December.

Picson added a similar training in the U.S. is being offered to members of the RP boxing national pool.

“Meron ding alok sa atin sa Estados Unidos na magsanay especially `yung youth and juniors ages 19 and below,” said the ABAP official. -Philippine Boxing News

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